Start with the water you actually swim in. A full wetsuit is the better default for most open water swimming and triathlon, because it gives you more consistent lift through the hips and legs and more thermal coverage. A shorty, like the Blue70 Glide Short John, earns its place when the water stays warm and you want less shoulder restriction and quicker transitions.
What a full Blue70 wetsuit offers
Blue70 builds full suits across a range of prices and priorities. The Sprint at $325 is the entry-level option. The Fusion at $420 has the 2021 lower-sitting neckline and suits shorter, frequent swims. The Reaction at $680 uses higher-grade neoprene and holds up to longer, more regular training. The Helix at $995 is the flagship race suit, with thin, flexible neoprene in the arms and shoulders, a permeable catch panel designed to preserve feel for the water, and LIFT buoyancy panels that add lift where swimmers need it most. The Thermal Reaction at $785 is fully lined with Zirconium jersey and is designed for cold water.
Each of those full suits uses Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, or 40 cell grades. The higher the cell number, the more flexible the material. Arm and shoulder flexibility matters because restricted shoulders lead to early fatigue. That fatigue shows up in slower stroke turnover and heavier breathing. A swim-specific wetsuit is cut and assembled so you can rotate and reach without fighting the suit on every stroke.
The suit is not waterproof, and it is not a personal flotation device. It is a swimming tool designed to improve body position and reduce drag.
When a shorty makes more sense
A shorty, like the Blue70 Glide Short John at $210, is a short john cut: sleeveless with short legs. Less neoprene means less lift and less thermal coverage. It also means easier entry, a more open shoulder, and faster removal in transition. For a warm lake swim or a race where water temperature sits near 70 to 72°F, a full suit can feel too warm over longer distances. That is when a shorty earns its place.
The tradeoff is honest. A shorty will not lift your legs as much as a full suit. If you are still working on sinking hips, or if you race in cooler water, the full suit gives you more help. The shorty is a comfort and convenience choice for warm conditions, not a direct substitute for a full suit in 60°F water.
Water temperature as the first filter
Blue70's published guidance is straightforward. Below about 56 to 58°F, a purpose-built thermal suit like the Thermal Reaction adds meaningful warmth. Between roughly 58 and 70°F, a full suit is the practical choice for most swimmers. Above about 70 to 72°F, a full suit can become too warm over longer swims, and that is when a shorty, a sleeveless suit, or a swimskin becomes more comfortable.
Cold water swimming always deserves respect. A thermal wetsuit provides added thermal protection, but it does not guarantee warmth or prevent hypothermia. Acclimatize gradually, swim with a buddy or visible support, and exit before you start shivering or losing coordination. The suit supports you; it does not replace judgment.
Buoyancy and body position
Full suits put neoprene along the entire torso and legs. That distribution helps keep your hips and legs higher in the water. Higher hips reduce frontal drag, because less of your lower body acts as a parachute. Buoyancy equals speed. That physics is why beginners often feel the biggest immediate gain from a full wetsuit. Advanced swimmers already hold a good body line, so they may care more about arm flexibility and shoulder freedom. A shorty gives less lift, but it gives more freedom in exchange.
If you want the full buoyancy advantage, choose a full suit. If you want a lighter, less restrictive option for warm water, choose the Glide Short John or the Reaction Sleeveless at $395. The sleeveless full-length suit keeps leg lift while freeing the arms. Some swimmers prefer that mix when the water is warm but not bath-like.
Fit, donning, and race-day practicalities
A full wetsuit should feel snug on dry land and more comfortable once water enters the suit. Getting the arms and shoulders seated properly takes more care than a shorty. That fit step matters: a poorly donned full suit will pull against your shoulders for the whole swim. A shorty is easier to pull on, and it creates less shoulder restriction. For a sprint triathlon on a hot morning, the shorty can also come off faster in T1.
That does not mean shorties are always faster. If the water is cool enough that a full suit helps you stay loose and hold body position, the five extra seconds in transition are worth it. If the water is warm enough that a full suit makes you overheat, the shorty is the better choice. Match the suit to the conditions, not to the clock.
Which Blue70 model fits your swim
Use this simple filter for your conditions and swim volume.
- For cold water, start with the Thermal Reaction.
- For a race-day full suit with maximum flexibility, look at the Helix.
- For frequent training and longer open water swims, the Reaction gives durability and performance.
- For shorter frequent swims or a first suit, the Fusion is comfortable and well priced.
- For an entry-level full suit, the Sprint is the place to start.
- For warm water and maximum freedom, choose the Glide Short John.
- For warm water with leg lift, choose the Reaction Sleeveless.
Every Blue70 wetsuit can be swim-tested before you commit. The Test Swim policy lets you swim in the suit and still return or exchange it if it comes back clean, dry, unmodified, and with tags and accessories. That removes the biggest worry about buying a wetsuit online. Use the size chart, pick your temperature range, and take it for a swim.
Happy swimming.
